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Years of research, including many staff trips, went into making the Take Me There:® China exhibit. In this blog series, you'll see how we were inspired by the people, places, and traditions of modern China as we recreated these top ten exhibit highlights. You'll also get a snapshot of what your family will experience in these extraordinary spaces—brought to you straight from our exhibit developers!
Throughout Take Me There: China your family will find opportunities to experience Chinese art and music as you participate in performances, discover authentic art and music, and learn about the history and tradition of the Chinese arts. Many of the art and music-related experiences can be found in and around the Tea House, with other activities—including the seasonal shadow puppet cultural immersion program— taking place in People's Park.
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Try your hand at playing traditional authentic Chinese instruments like drums and bells, or strum a guzhong or a pipa. Traditional Chinese musical instruments are highly valued, collected, and played, even today. On an iPad, your family can watch and listen to clips of traditional music played on the pipa, compared to an American stringed instrument, the banjo. Our teacher-in-residence will also perform on traditional instruments and share about Chinese music with your family.
Discover Chinese arts such as silk embroidery, painting, shadow puppets, jade carving, and fine porcelain. Just outside the Tea House, look for cases with fine examples of traditional and contemporary Chinese jade and ceramic art objects. In China, jade (“yu”) has long been prized for its color, transparency, and texture. Jade carving and the crafting of fine porcelain are both art forms that are still widely practiced today.
Other things to see and do:
- Watch a video showing the art of Chinese shadow puppetry, as well as a segment of the story of Monkey King and the Jade Emperor. Look for the beautiful shadow puppets from our permanent collection on either side of the screen.
- Practice Chinese painting, using similar tools as you take inspiration from an original, 19th century hand scroll featuring 100 children. Learn about Chinese art from the past and present through a display of traditional and modern scroll paintings.
- See examples of dragon robes embroidered with traditional symbols paired with contemporary silk dresses, blouses, and children’s clothing that incorporate similar motifs and colors. Touch a panel of real silk to feel the texture of the fabric.
Catch up on all of the Take Me There: China Top 10, or read up on staff adventures in China in our Creative Director's blog series: "Ned's Excellent China Adventure," Part 1 and Part 2.
